Meet SA’s Young & Emerging Scientist, Dr Tiisetso Lephoto Who Is Creating Groundbreaking Inventions In Agricultural Industries
At the age of 26, Tiisetso Lephoto is already shining brighter in her field. She is one of SA’s brightest young researcher’s who is passionate about science, agriculture and innovation. She has presented research at national and international conferences and has won several awards for her work. These including, Best Young researcher in science, Best upcoming researcher, Best innovation science project and Best oral presenter at a number of conferences.
Lephoto holds a Ph.D degree in Molecular and cell biology specializing in Nematology, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Genomics and Bioinformatics from the University of the Witwatersrand, under the supervision of Professor Vincent Gray.She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Genetics and Microbiology at the age of 20, Bachelor of Science Honors degree in Genetics and Developmental Biology at the age of 21 and Master of Science in Biotechnology and Microbiology when she was only 23 years old. Being one of the top 15% at Wits University, she was awarded membership in the Golden Key International Honor society.
Dr Tiisetso Lephoto’s area of research focuses on isolating and identifying biological control agents (natural insect pest controllers) which may be used in Agricultural industries to control problematic insects in Farms instead of using synthetic chemical pesticides which have been reported to have bad consequences in human, animal and plant health. In her research, she has already isolated and characterized a novel entomopathogenic (insect-killing) nematode species which she sequenced, assembled and annotated its whole genome and its pathogenic bacteria symbiont.
One of her aims is to analyse the annotated whole genomes of the nematodes she isolated in her study and its endosymbiotic bacteria. The analysis will further increase her knowledge and understanding of the molecular genetics and biochemical mechanisms underlying the dynamics associated with the insect-killing nematodes-bacteria-insect host complex. The application of the biological control agent will ultimately reduce the use of synthetic chemical pesticides in farms.
She was born and raised in Meadowlands, Soweto where she attended primary school at Thakhisa and later preceded to Forte High were she obtained a senior certificate with distinction and was one of the top learners in Soweto in 2006.
Lephoto is also passionate about youth development. In addition to her work, she mentors young people through tutoring high school learners and rendering motivational talks at an organization called Katleho Pele Education. For her contribution to the community, she was selected as one of the 100 Brightest young minds in South Africa and a One Young World ambassador.
Dr Lephoto’s vision is to change the world, so she founded a project called “Yes We Are Moving” where she hosts aerobics marathons collecting clothes, food parcels and books to donate to several orphanages. She is also the founder of Tii-moves, a wellness and fitness project which she offers nutritional advice and physical training.
Dr Tiisetso Lephoto’s love for science has made her a force to be reckoned with and there’s no doubt that she will one day be one of the most influential Scientists in the world.
